How important are A level for university applications?

[Gardensunnydays]

As the question said. Am I correct in thinking that if you want to attend a decent uni you need 3 A levels with at least Bs?

What are the options if you don’t have 3 good A levels? Or not A levels at all? Or if you have BTEC instead.

I didn’t grow up in the UK and find the process a bit complicated. If you don’t have good GCSES you don’t get to do A levels and if you don’t have A levels you can’t go to University

Brit school do BTEC but DD has a very good friend who went there and then on to a good uni that is known in the field as better than good in her area so it is possible. However getting into Brit for acting is hard and if she has a speech and language impairment it may not work.

What I do know is that admissions tutors are quite accepting that life doesn't always go to plan. DD had a medical issue that mucked up one of her A level papers so badly she dropped 2 grades overall in that subject. Emailing admissions tutors about this got her 3 unconditional offers from RG unis despite having below the advertised grades.

Thank you. This is useful

This is good to know

My daughter went to drama school. She did 2 A levels alongside a musical theatre diploma. She is, however, very academic and enjoyed learning for it's own sake. She is now able to use those A levels to gain entry to university as she wants a career change. However many students on the degree she will be doing will have a Btec in a related subject.

My son is not academic, he did a Btec though and has gained entry to music conservatoire.

Entry to the BRIT school is very competitive so always have a back-up option.

Perhaps work back from where she wants to be in terms of career (as university is so expensive). A lot of children think they want to act when they grow up but it is very very competitive and may not be the best initial choice for university.

She should try to get the highest grades at GCSEs and A levels that she can as that will give her more choices not just with getting into better universities but also the better paid jobs after (if that is her aim).

Agree with this, drama can always be done as a post grad and at least she has a degree to get jobs as acting is so competitive. But it's not clear what she really wants to do, and what her academic level is.

It's a lot more expensive to pursue acting as a postgrad than as an undergrad as the funding is different.

There are different btecs- not all have the 3 grades

DS did Btec public services and Btec it and had distinction* in both which is the equivalent ucas points as 2 x a in a level

Thank you all

I think something a bit creative will suit DD. She is not supper academic; results are probably low average. I would say history, art, Spanish are her best subjects.

She has mentioned acting, singer, interior decorator. It is early days though and she may change her mind; however all those careers are very difficult and competitive if you want to make a decent living. I am thinking something like Graphic Designer perhaps.

Will focus on het GCSEs; she may go to Brit School for Sixth Form.

Thanks. I wasn’t thinking the acting path in Brit but other subjects. I know acting is very competitive and she has not done a lot compared to other kids.

@Gardensunnydays
Wouldn't worry too much about A-levels and later yet.

Most important thing in the short term are the GCSE choices, if not done yet?

You may find that they are obvious, for DC's interests/best subjects.

May want to choose some subjects to keep options open, e.g. Physics, if not doing combined science.

May want to choose some subjects to keep options open, e.g. Physics, if not doing combined science

I believe that all state schools only offer combined science. Some independent schools offer them as separate subjects though.

The top unis are in a club called the Russell Group. People who have been to a RG uni tend to be viewed more positively when applying for jobs.

Please take this advice with a lrge pinch of salt. Yes, RG universities are generally higher ranking, but most companies recruit blind when it comes to where the applicant went to university. Also, some of the lower rnking universities rank higher than many of the better ones when it comes to the subject.

That is not correct.

State schools at a minimum have to offer combined science but many also offer separate sciences commonly known as triple science.

Please take this advice with a lrge pinch of salt. Yes, RG universities are generally higher ranking, but most companies recruit blind when it comes to where the applicant went to university. Also, some of the lower rnking universities rank higher than many of the better ones when it comes to the subject.
I agree 100% - especially for the more technical/practical/creative type subjects which it sounds like the OP's daughter could be interested in. Contrary to much of the received wisdom on here, young people are not doomed to a life of misery if they can't or don't want to study an academic subject at an RG University. (And I did a STEM subject at an RG University so no sour grapes here - I just don't think it's the be all and end all.) Finding the best possible place for the individual is of course important but it involves a lot more than league tables.
OP, I would focus on supporting your DD to get as good grades as she can at GCSE across a broad range of subject, whilst being able to maintain a sensible amount of hobbies/social life. A lot may change between now and when she's looking at Universities or alternative next steps so the most important thing is to keep as many doors open as possible and maintain balance in life.

@Gardensunnydays you might find it helpful (even so far in advance that things might change) to take a few evenings and thoroughly study the UCAS website. It will give you a clear idea of all the possible routes and options and how students are funded. (I can well imagine that it must all seem complicated for anyone who hasn’t grown up with this particular university ++ system.)

https://www.ucas.com

If she's looking at something like graphic design then the art strand at Brit does Btec which means that they don't have to do the foundation year at art college - those who do A level usually have to take it.

@Gardensunnydays this thread and the subsequent threads might be of interest to you. 2023 uni applications for those pursuing art and creative routes | Mumsnet

Yes, sorry, I knew this as DD took triple science. It was a response to being able to maybe pick only one or two sciences e.g. Physics and biology only.

Thanks. Will look at it

That’s good to know.

I am thinking something more practical and creative will suit her better

Thanks. I will definitely spend some time looking at the UCAS website as DD1 is applying this year; and yes I have found the whole thing a bit confusing. Eg clearance, applying with predicted grades, grades in hand, firming insurance, etc.

I think I do understand a bit more now than last year though

if she is more creative than academic she might want to consider something like a graphic design apprenticeship rather than incurring a lot of student debt at university.

"Apprenticeship
You could start by doing a Level 3 apprenticeship in design, specialising in graphics. You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths. There's a lot of competition for graphic design work. You'll need a portfolio that shows your creative ideas, skills and work experience to help you get started." Graphic designer apprenticeships - where to start https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/?TabID=1358&id=1378&occupation=graphic-designer

Apprenticeships are also covered by UCAS.

https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/apprenticeships

Not correct - state schools do offer separate sciences

This a good idea